U.S. patent application number 11/954886 was filed with the patent office on 2008-06-26 for slot machine and playing method thereof.
This patent application is currently assigned to Aruze Corp.. Invention is credited to Kazuo OKADA.
Application Number | 20080153575 11/954886 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39543625 |
Filed Date | 2008-06-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080153575 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
OKADA; Kazuo |
June 26, 2008 |
SLOT MACHINE AND PLAYING METHOD THEREOF
Abstract
A slot machine comprises a display, an input device and a
controller. The display has slot game areas including a specific
slot game area and displays slot games on the slot game areas. A
bet amount is input into the input device. Some of the bet amount
is accumulated for a jackpot shared with a plurality of slot
machines. The controller is operable to (a) place a bet using the
bet amount on the slot game on each of one or more slot game areas,
(b) execute the slot games on the one or more slot game areas on
each of which the bet has been placed in (a), except the specific
slot game area, and (c) execute a jackpot bonus game on the
specific slot game area in order to determine whether or not a
jackpot payout to be awarded, when the slot games executed in (b)
have brought an outcome which has met a prescribed condition.
Inventors: |
OKADA; Kazuo; (Tokyo,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
NDQ&M WATCHSTONE LLP
1300 EYE STREET, NW, SUITE 1000 WEST TOWER
WASHINGTON
DC
20005
US
|
Assignee: |
Aruze Corp.
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
39543625 |
Appl. No.: |
11/954886 |
Filed: |
December 12, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/20 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/32 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/20 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 14, 2006 |
JP |
2006-337556 |
Claims
1. A slot machine comprising: a display which has slot game areas
including a specific slot game area and displays slot games on the
slot game areas, each of the slot games being a game in which
symbols had been displayed on each of the slot game areas are
rearranged; an input device for inputting a bet amount, some of
which is accumulated for a jackpot shared with a plurality of slot
machines; and a controller operable to: (a) place a bet using the
bet amount on the slot game on each of one or more slot game areas,
(b) execute the slot games on the one or more slot game areas on
each of which the bet has been placed in (a), except the specific
slot game area, and (c) execute a jackpot bonus game on the
specific slot game area in order to determine whether or not a
jackpot payout to be awarded, when the slot games executed in (b)
have brought an outcome which has met a prescribed condition.
2. The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein the one or more
slot game areas can include the specific slot game area, and the
bet can be placed, in (a), on the jackpot bonus game to be executed
on the specific slot game area.
3. The slot machine according to claim 2, wherein the controller is
operable to provide the jackpot payout to a player only when the
bet on the jackpot bonus game has been placed.
4. The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein the jackpot bonus
game is executed in order to determine whether or not the jackpot
payout to be awarded and further determine a jackpot payout amount
in case that the jackpot is to be awarded.
5. The slot machine according to claim 4, wherein the jackpot
payout amount is varied according to an outcome of the jackpot
bonus game.
6. The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein the slot game
areas except the specific slot game area are constituted by a
liquid crystal display panel and the specific slot game area is
constituted by mechanical reels.
7. A playing method of a slot machine for playing slot games on
slot game areas including a specific slot game area, each of the
slot game being a game in which symbols had been displayed on a
slot game area are rearranged, comprising: (a) inputting a bet
amount, some of the bet amount being accumulated for a jackpot
shared with a plurality of slot machines, (b) placing a bet using
the bet amount on the slot game on each of one or more slot game
areas, (c) executing the slot games on the one or more slot game
areas on each of which the bet has been placed in (b), except the
specific slot game area, and (d) executing a jackpot bonus game on
the specific slot game area in order to determine whether or not a
jackpot payout to be awarded, when the slot games executed in (c)
have brought an outcome which has met a prescribed condition.
8. The playing method of a slot machine according to claim 7,
wherein the one or more slot game areas can include the specific
slot game area, and the bet can be placed, in (b), on the jackpot
bonus game to be executed on the specific slot game area.
9. The playing method of a slot machine according to claim 8,
further comprising: providing the jackpot payout to a player only
when the bet on the jackpot bonus game has been placed.
10. The playing method of a slot machine according to claim 7,
wherein the jackpot bonus game is executed in order to determine
whether or not the jackpot payout to be awarded and further
determine a jackpot payout amount in case that the jackpot is to be
awarded.
11. The playing method of a slot machine according to claim 10,
wherein the jackpot payout amount is varied according to an outcome
of the jackpot bonus game.
12. The playing method of a slot machine according to claim 7,
wherein the slot games executed on the slot game areas except the
specific slot game area are displayed on a liquid crystal display
panel, and the jackpot bonus game executed on the specific slot
game is displayed by mechanical reels.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is based upon the prior Japanese Patent
Application No. 2006-337556, filed on Dec. 14, 2006, the entire
contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
[0002] This application is related to co-pending U.S. patent
application entitled "SLOT MACHINE AND PLAYING METHOD THEREOF"
referred to as the prior Japanese Patent Application No.
2006-337480, filed in Japan on Dec. 14, 2006, co-pending U.S.
patent application entitled "SLOT MACHINE AND PLAYING METHOD
THEREOF" referred to as the prior Japanese Patent Application No.
2006-337540, filed in Japan on Dec. 14, 2006, co-pending U.S.
patent application entitled "SLOT MACHINE AND PLAYING METHOD
THEREOF" referred to as the prior Japanese Patent Application No.
2006-337541, filed in Japan on Dec. 14, 2006, and co-pending U.S.
patent application entitled "SLOT MACHINE AND PLAYING METHOD
THEREOF" referred to as the prior Japanese Patent Application No.
2006-343150, filed in Japan on Dec. 20, 2006, which are assigned to
the assignee of the present invention. The teachings of the
co-pending applications are incorporated herein by reference to the
extent they do not conflict with the teachings herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 1. Field of the Invention
[0004] The present invention relates to a slot machine and a
playing method thereof.
[0005] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0006] In a conventional slot machine, a plurality of reels (e.g.,
three reels) on which a plurality of symbols is drawn spins,
respectively, when a player inserts a medal(s) into a medal
insertion slot and then presses a start button. The reels stop
after a predetermined time has elapsed. At this time, a payout is
awarded to the player according to the number of inserted medals if
a winning symbol combination achieved on a preset payline.
Alternatively, a payout is awarded to the player according to the
number of inserted medals if a predetermined number of scatter
symbols displayed.
[0007] On the other hand, in the gaming machine described in U.S.
Pat. No. 6,855,052, a plurality of wheels provided above the reels
begins to spin sequentially and then stops if a preset symbol
combination has displayed on the reels after the reels has stopped.
A large amount payout is awarded if the stopped wheels have brought
a predetermined outcome.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present inventors have thought that provision of a
certain slot machine is desired, with which a player can play a
plurality of slot games instead of only one slot game by one time
insertion of a medal(s) as described above. The slot machine can
further stimulate the desire to play games of the player.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a slot
machine and a playing method thereof capable of improving
entertaining feature.
[0009] A first aspect of the present invention provides a slot
machine which comprises: a display which has slot game areas
including a specific slot game area and displays slot games on the
slot game areas; an input device for inputting a bet amount; and a
controller. Each of the slot games is a game in which symbols had
been displayed on each of the slot game areas are rearranged. Some
of the bet amount is accumulated for a jackpot shared with a
plurality of slot machines. The controller is operable to (a) place
a bet using the bet amount on the slot games on each of one or more
slot game areas, (b) execute the slot games on the one or more slot
game areas on each of which the bet has been placed in (a), except
the specific slot game area, and (c) execute a jackpot bonus game
on the specific slot game area in order to determine whether or not
a jackpot payout to be awarded, when the slot games executed in (b)
have brought an outcome which has met a prescribed condition.
[0010] It is preferable that the one or more slot game areas can
include the specific slot game area, and the bet can be placed, in
(a), on the jackpot bonus game to be executed on the specific slot
game area. Here, it is further preferable that the controller is
operable to provide the jackpot payout to a player only when the
bet on the jackpot bonus game has been placed.
[0011] It is preferable that the jackpot bonus game is executed in
order to determine whether or not the jackpot payout to be awarded
and further determine a jackpot payout amount in case that the
jackpot is to be awarded. Here, it is further preferable that the
jackpot payout amount is varied according to an outcome of the
jackpot bonus game.
[0012] It is preferable that the slot game areas except the
specific slot game area are constituted by a liquid crystal display
panel and the specific slot game area is constituted by mechanical
reels.
[0013] A second aspect of the present invention provides a playing
method of a slot machine for playing slot games on slot game areas
including a specific slot game area. Each of the slot game is a
game in which symbols had been displayed on a slot game area are
rearranged. The method comprises: (a) inputting a bet amount (some
of the bet amount is accumulated for a jackpot shared with a
plurality of slot machines), (b) placing a bet using the bet amount
on the slot game on each of one or more slot game areas, (c)
executing the slot games on the one or more slot game areas on each
of which the bet has been placed in (b), except the specific slot
game area, and (d) executing a jackpot bonus game on the specific
slot game area in order to determine whether or not a jackpot
payout to be awarded, when the slot games executed in (c) have
brought an outcome which has met a prescribed condition.
[0014] It is preferable that the one or more slot game areas can
include the specific slot game area, and the bet can be placed, in
(b), on the jackpot bonus game to be executed on the specific slot
game area. Here, it is further preferable that the method further
comprising (e) providing the jackpot payout to a player only when
the bet on the jackpot bonus game has been placed.
[0015] It is preferable that the jackpot bonus game is executed in
order to determine whether or not the jackpot payout to be awarded
and further determine a jackpot payout amount in case that the
jackpot is to be awarded. Here, it is further preferable that the
jackpot payout amount is varied according to an outcome of the
jackpot bonus game.
[0016] It is further preferable that the slot games executed on the
slot game areas except the specific slot game area are displayed on
a liquid crystal display panel, and the jackpot bonus game executed
on the specific slot game is displayed by mechanical reels.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing eleven slot game
areas displayed on a lower display in first to third embodiments of
a slot machine of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the slot machine of the
first embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a backside perspective view of an LCD panel in the
slot machine of the first embodiment;
[0020] FIG. 4 is front side exploded perspective view of the LCD
panel;
[0021] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of the
slot machine of the first embodiment;
[0022] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure (slot
game execution processing) in the slot machine of the first
embodiment;
[0023] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure
(execution processing for slot games on areas A2 to A11) in the
slot machine of the first embodiment;
[0024] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure (bonus
game starting processing) in the slot machine of the first
embodiment;
[0025] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure (bonus
game execution processing) in the slot machine of the first
embodiment;
[0026] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure (bet
processing) in the slot machine of the first embodiment;
[0027] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure (bet
processing [alternate example]) in the slot machine of the first
embodiment;
[0028] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure
(execution processing for slot game [jackpot game] on area A1) in
the slot machine of the first embodiment;
[0029] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a central slot
game area in the slot machine of the first embodiment;
[0030] FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing one of the slot
game areas other than the central slot game area;
[0031] FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a payline on the
slot game area;
[0032] FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing a payout table for
slot games on areas A2 to A11;
[0033] FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing a payout table for
a jackpot bonus game on area A1 [central slot game area];
[0034] FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing the slot game
areas displayed on the LCD panel;
[0035] FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing the slot game
areas displayed on the LCD panel;
[0036] FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship
between bet amounts and bet areas in the slot machine of the first
embodiment;
[0037] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the slot machine of the
second embodiment of the present invention;
[0038] FIG. 22 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of the
slot machine of the second embodiment;
[0039] FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure (slot
game execution processing) in the slot machine of the second
embodiment;
[0040] FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the slot machine of the
third embodiment of the present invention;
[0041] FIG. 25 is a backside perspective view of an LCD panel in
the slot machine of the third embodiment;
[0042] FIG. 26 is front side exploded perspective view of the LCD
panel;
[0043] FIG. 27 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of the
slot machine of the third embodiment; and
[0044] FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the slot machine of the
fourth embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT
[0045] Characteristics of a first embodiment of the present
invention will be described below with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG.
2. As shown in FIG. 1, eleven slot game areas A1 to A11 are
provided on a lower display 16 (corresponding to the "display" in
claims). A slot game is executed in each of the slot game areas A1
to A11.
[0046] The slot game areas A1 to A11 include one large slot game
area A1 (corresponding to a "specific slot game area" in claims) in
the center and ten small slot game areas A2 to A11 arranged
therearound.
[0047] Display areas of three rows by three columns are provided in
the respective slot game areas A2 to A11 except the central slot
game area A1. A credit(s) (corresponding to the "gaming media") is
bet by an insertion of a medal(s) or pressing of a bet switch 25.
Symbols displayed (arranged) in the display areas are scrolled when
a start switch 27 has been pressed and then the symbols stop
(rearranged) in each of the display areas. In this manner, the slot
game is executed in each of the slot game areas A2 to A11.
[0048] In the slot game executed in each of the slot game areas A2
to A11 except the central slot game area A1, up to three credits
can be bet and the number of activated paylines increases as a bet
amount increases in each slot game.
[0049] On the other hand, display areas of one row by three columns
are provided on the central slot game area A1. On the slot game
area A1, the symbols displayed (arranged) in each of the display
areas are scrolled when a prescribed condition has been met in the
slot games executed on the slot game areas A2 to A11 and then the
symbols stop (rearranged) in each of the display areas. In this
manner, the slot game is executed on the slot game area A1.
[0050] In addition, since the display areas on the central slot
game area A1 is configured with one row by three columns, the
central slot game area A1 has only one payline. As a result, only
one credit can be bet on the slot game executed on the central slot
game area A1.
[0051] The surrounding ten slot game areas A2 to A11 are displayed
on an LCD panel 17 provided in the lower display 16. The
configuration of the LCD panel 17 will be described later with
reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4.
[0052] The central slot game area A1 is displayed by three
mechanical spinning reels 3A to 3C arranged behind in a center area
of the LCD panel 17. Each of the reels 3A to 3C is spun by each of
stepping motors 45A to 45C (see FIG. 5). A plurality of symbols is
disposed on a peripheral surface of each of the reels 3A to 3C with
at some intervals. It is possible for the player to visually
recognize part of the peripheral surface of each of the reels 3A to
3C through a constantly transmissive area (slot game area A1) in
the center of the LCD panel 17.
[0053] The lower display 16 on which the slot game areas A1 to A11
are displayed is arranged in a center of a front face of a slot
machine 10. In the slot machine 10, a bet can be placed on each of
the slot game areas A1 to A11 when a medal(s) is inserted into a
medal insertion slot 21 provided below the lower display 16 (or a
bet may be placed with internally stored credits by the pressing of
the bet switch 25). The player can select (activate) the slot game
areas A1 to A11 to be bet (activated) arbitrarily. In other words,
the player can select (activate the slot game areas A1 to A11 on
which games are executed with a bet placed. For example, it is
possible for the player to activate each of the slot game areas A1
to A11 by touching it. The operation of touching the slot game
areas A1 to A11 can be detected by a touch screen 72 provided on a
surface of the LCD panel 17.
[0054] For example, one bet is placed on the slot game area A1 when
the player inserts one medal into the medal insertion slot 21 after
touching the slot game area A1. And then, one more bet is placed on
the slot game area A1 when the second medal is inserted further.
However, a bet is placed preferentially on the slot game areas A2
to A11 on which a bonus game (this bonus game is a normal bonus
game which is different from a jackpot bonus game) is being
executed. This will be further described in detail later with
reference to FIG. 20. In addition, as described above, only one bet
can be placed on the central slot game area A1.
[0055] It may also be possible that the player previously selects
(activates) a slot game area(s) by touching the game area(s) and
then places a bet(s) on the activated slot game area(s) randomly by
inserting a medal(s).
[0056] Some of a bet amount is accumulated for a jackpot. The
jackpot is shared with other slot machines. Consequently, a jackpot
payout is provided to a player of a jackpot-winning slot machine
when a jackpot winning is awarded in any of the slot machines that
share the jackpot.
[0057] After a bet is placed on the slot game, a payout (payout of
a medal(s), or addition of credits) is provided according to the
bet amount and a winning combination when the winning combination
is achieved on the payline in the slot game on each of activated
slot game areas A2 to A11 except the central slot game area A1.
[0058] In addition, the jackpot bonus game is executed on the
central slot game area A1 only when the slot game on any of the
activated slot game areas A2 to A11 except the central slot game
area A1 have met a prescribed condition. The prescribed condition
is, for example, a case where the symbol combination of the jackpot
bonus trigger is achieved on any of the slot games on the slot game
areas A2 to A11. Alternatively, it may also be possible to regard
that the prescribed condition is met when a mere winning
combination is achieved on any of the slot game areas A2 to A11
instead of the symbol combination of the jackpot bonus trigger. It
is obviously possible to regard that the prescribed condition is
met when a trigger combination or a winning combination is achieved
in the predetermined number or more (for example, two or more) of
slot games on the slot game areas A2 to A11. On the contrary, it
may also be possible to regard that the prescribed condition is met
when a winning combination is not achieved on any of the slot game
areas A2 to A11.
[0059] Further, it may also be possible to regard that the
prescribed condition is met only when the trigger combination is
achieved on any of the activated slot game areas A2 to A11.
Alternatively, it may be possible to regard that the prescribed
condition is met when the trigger combination is achieved on any of
the slot game areas A2 to A11 regardless of activation.
[0060] Then, a jackpot payout is provided to the player in case
where a bet was placed on the central slot game area A1 and then
the jackpot bonus game on the central slot game area A1 has brought
the jackpot winning combination. The jackpot payout may be a payout
of actual medals or may be added to the internally stored credits.
In addition, the jackpot payout amount may be the entire
accumulated amount or may be varied (constant amount or variable
amount) according to the achieved jackpot winning combination.
[0061] In the present embodiment, a bet is placed on the slot game
areas A1 to A11 by the insertion of a medal(s), however, a bet may
be placed using a coin, bill, bar coded ticket, etc. In addition,
in the present embodiment, the symbols are scrolled and then
stopped again in the slot game on each of the slot game areas A2 to
A11 except the central slot game area A1. However, the slot game on
each of the slot game areas A2 to A11 is not limited to that in
which the symbols are scrolled. For example, the symbols may be
successively switched over in each of the display areas and then
stopped.
[0062] Further, in the present embodiment, a maximum bet amount is
set to three on the slot game areas A2 to A11 except the central
slot game area A1. However, the maximum bet amount is not limited
to this. If two or more rows of the display areas are provided on
the central slot game area A1, the number of activated paylines can
be increased according to a bet amount.
[0063] Next, a configuration of the slot machine 10 of the present
embodiment will be described. The slot machine 10 includes a
cabinet 11 and a top box 12 provided on top of the cabinet 11, as
shown in FIG. 2. The cabinet 11 has a main door 13. An upper
display 33 is provided on the front of the top box 12 facing the
player. The lower display 16 is disposed on the front of the
cabinet 11 facing the player. Various component devices are
disposed within the cabinet 11, such as a controller 40 (see FIG.
5) for electrically controlling the slot machine 10 and a hopper 44
(see FIG. 5) for controlling the insertion, pooling, and payout of
medals.
[0064] In the present embodiment, medals are used for gaming media
at game play. However, gaming media is not limited to medals only.
For example, coins, tokens, electronic money, or other equivalent
electronic value information may be also used as gaming media.
[0065] The main door 13 is attached to the cabinet 11 so that it
can be opened and closed. The lower display 16 is disposed on an
upper portion of the main door 13. As will be described in detail
later, the eleven slot game areas A1 to A11 are provided on the
lower display 16 and independent slot games are executed on the
slot game areas A1 to A11, respectively. In the present embodiment,
the number of slot game areas is eleven. However, two or more slot
game areas including at least one slot game area constituted by
mechanical reels and at least one slot game area constituted by an
LCD may be provided.
[0066] Three display areas with one row by three columns are
provided on the central slot game area A1. Nine display areas with
three rows by three columns are provided on each of the slot game
areas A2 to A11. various kinds of symbols can be displayed in each
of the display areas. In other words, symbols displayed (arranged)
in each of the display areas are scrolled when a slot game has been
started and then stopped (rearranged) after a predetermined time
has elapsed. Then, a payout is awarded to a player according to a
symbol combination that stops in the display areas on activated
slot game areas A1 to A11.
[0067] The touch screen 72 is provided on a surface of the lower
display 16. The touch screen 72 is partitioned into areas in a
matrix. Some of the partitioned areas correspond to the ten slot
game areas A2 to A11 displayed and the central slot game area A1 on
the LCD panel 17. The central slot game area A1 can be visually
recognized through a central area of the LCD panel 17. In other
words, a touched position can be detected by the touch screen 72
when the player touches each of the slot game areas A1 to A11.
[0068] A payout counter 48 for displaying a payout amount is
provided in a bottom left area of the lower display 16 (LCD panel
17).
[0069] The medal insertion slot 21 and a bill validator 22 are
disposed below the lower display 16. The bill validator 22
validates bills and accepts valid ones. Various operational
switches are disposed nearby the medal insertion slot 21 and the
bill validator 22.
[0070] A cash-out switch 23, a max-bet switch 24, a bet switch 25,
a spin/repeat-bet switch 26, and the start switch 27 are provided
as the operational switches.
[0071] The bet switch 25 is a switch for determining a bet amount
on each slot game on the slot game areas A1 to A11. As will be
described later, each time the bet switch 25 is pressed, one bet is
placed on a predetermined slot game area. The slot game area on
which a bet has been placed is activated and a payout is provided
to the player when a winning symbol combination has been achieved
on an activated payline in the slot game.
[0072] The spin/repeat-bet switch 26 is a switch for placing a bet
again without changing a bet amount placed by the bet switch 25
(and the max-bet switch 24) on the previous game on each of the
slot game areas A1 to A11 and starting a slot game on each of the
slot game areas A2 to A11.
[0073] The start switch 27 is a switch for starting a slot game on
each of the slot game areas A2 to A11 after bets have been placed
on desired slot game areas. A slot game on each of the slot game
areas A2 to A11 is started after a medal(s) was inserted into the
medal insertion slot 21 or a bet (s) was placed by the bet switch
25 and the start switch 27 has been pressed.
[0074] The cash-out switch 23 is a switch for cashing out awarded
medals (internally stored credits). The medals are cashed out from
a medal cash-out chute 28 opened in the front lower part of the
main door 13 and pooled on a medal tray 18.
[0075] The max-bet switch 24 is a switch for betting the maximum
bet amount (e.g., thirty-one credits) that can be placed on a
single game play by one pressing.
[0076] A foot display 34 is disposed on the lower front of the main
door 13. Various images relating to the game of the slot machine 10
(such as characters of the slot machine 10) are displayed on the
foot display 34.
[0077] Lamps 47 are provided on both sides of the foot display 34
and illuminate in a preset illuminating pattern. The medal cash-out
chute 28 is provided below the foot display 34.
[0078] The upper LCD 33 is disposed on the front of the top box 12.
The upper display 33 has a display panel and displays a payout
table indicating each payout amount for each symbol combination
etc.
[0079] Speakers 29 are provided on the top box 12. A ticket printer
35, a card reader 36, a data display 37, and a keypad 38 are
disposed below the upper display 33. The ticket printer 35 prints
out a ticket 39 including data such as a credit amount, time and
date, identification number of the slot machine 10 printed thereon
as a bar code.
[0080] The player can play a game at another slot machine by using
the bar-coded ticket 39, and exchange the bar-coded ticket 39 for
bills at a predetermined site in an amusement facility (e.g., a
cashier in the casino).
[0081] A smart card can be inserted into the card reader 36 and the
card reader 36 reads data from the inserted smart card and writes
data onto the smart card. The smart card is carried by the player
and stores the player's identification data and gaming history data
of the games played by the player.
[0082] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the electric
configuration of the controller 40 and various components connected
to the controller 40, which are provided within the slot machine 10
of the present embodiment. The controller 40 of the slot machine 10
is a microcomputer and includes interface circuits 102, an
input/output (I/O) bus 104, a CPU 106, a ROM 108, a RAM 110, a
signal communication interface (I/F) circuit 111, a random number
generator (RNG) 112, a motor drive circuit 120, a speaker drive
circuit 122, a hopper drive circuit 124, a display control circuit
128, and a display controller 140.
[0083] The interface circuits 102 are connected to the I/O bus 104.
The I/O bus 104 inputs/outputs data signals and address signals
to/from the CPU 106.
[0084] The start switch 27 is connected to the interface circuits
102. A start signal output from the start switch 27 is transmitted
to the CPU 106 via the I/O bus 104, after having been converted
into a predetermined signal by the interface circuits 102.
[0085] The bet switch 25, the max-bet switch 24, the
spin/repeat-bet switch 26, and the cash-out switch 23 are connected
to the interface circuits 102. A switching signal output from each
of the switches 23 to 26 is transmitted to the CPU 106 via the I/O
bus 104, after having been converted into a predetermined signal by
the interface circuits 102.
[0086] A medal sensor 43 is connected to the interface circuits
102. The medal sensor 43 detects a medal(s), which has been
inserted into the medal insertion slot 21. The medal sensor 43 is
provided inside the medal insertion slot 21. The detection signal
output from the medal sensor 43 is transmitted to the CPU 106 via
the I/O bus 104, after having been converted into a predetermined
signal by the interface circuits 102.
[0087] The touch screen 72 described above is connected to the
interface circuits 102. The touch screen 72 detects the touch
operation onto the slot game areas A1 to A11 displayed on the lower
display 16 by a player. The touch screen 72 is provided on the
surface of the LCD panel 17. A position signal output from the
touch screen 72 is transmitted to the CPU 106 via the I/O bus 104,
after having been converted into a predetermined signal by the
interface circuits 102.
[0088] The ROM 108 storing system programs and the RAM 110 storing
various data are connected to the I/O bus 104. The RNG 112, the
signal communication I/F circuit 111, the motor drive circuit 120,
the display controller 140, the hopper drive circuit 124, the
speaker drive circuit 122, and the display control circuit 128 are
connected to the I/O bus 104.
[0089] The CPU 106, triggered by receiving the start signal from
the start switch 27, reads a game execution program among the
system programs stored in the ROM 108 and executes a game. The game
execution program is a program for executing the slot game in each
of the slot game areas A1 to A11 on the lower display 16 using the
motor drive circuit 120 and the display controller 140.
[0090] In other words, the game execution program is programmed so
as to execute a slot game in which symbols are rearranged after
scrolling in each of the slot game areas A1 to A11 and a payout is
provided when a winning combination is achieved on an activated
payline.
[0091] The signal communication I/F circuit 111, which is connected
to a hall server etc., transmits gaming history data etc. of the
slot machine 10 to the hall server. The signal communication I/F
circuit 111 receives various data transmitted from the hall
server.
[0092] The RNG 112 generates a random number for determining
whether or not to achieve a winning combination in the slot game on
each of the slot game areas A1 to A11.
[0093] The display control circuit 128 controls displaying a payout
amount on the payout counter 48 provided at the lower left area of
the lower display 16 (LCD panel 17).
[0094] The speaker drive circuit 122 outputs sound data to the
speakers 29. In other words, the CPU 106 reads the sound data
stored in the ROM 108 and transmits the sound data to the speaker
drive circuit 122 via the I/O bus 104. In this manner,
predetermined sound effects are generated via the speakers 29.
[0095] The hopper drive circuit 124 outputs a cash-out signal to
the hopper 44 when providing a cash-out. In other words, the CPU
106 outputs a drive signal to the hopper drive circuit 124 via the
I/O bus 104 when receiving the cash-out signal from the cash-out
switch 23. As a result, the hopper 44 cashes out medals equivalent
to the credits stored at that time in a predetermined memory area
of the RAM 110.
[0096] The motor drive circuit 120 controls the execution of the
slot game by the reels 3A to 3C on the central slot game area A1 of
the lower display 16. The motor drive circuit 120 is configured by
including a reel CPU, a reel ROM, and a reel RAM internally. In
detail, the CPU 106 generates a command signal relating to a symbol
display according to status and an outcome of the slot game on the
slot game area A1 and outputs the command signal to the motor drive
circuit 120 via the I/O bus 104. Upon receipt of the command
signal, the motor drive circuit 120 generates drive signals for the
stepping motors 45A to 45C, which spins or stops each of the reels
3A to 3C based on the command signal. And then, the motor drive
circuit 120 outputs the drive signals to the stepping motors 45A to
45C, respectively. In this manner, the slot game is executed
(predetermined images are displayed) on the slot game area A1.
[0097] The display controller 140 controls the execution of the
slot game on each of the slot game areas A2 to A11 around the slot
game area A1. In detail, the CPU 106 generates an image display
signal according to status and an outcome of the slot game on each
of the slot game areas A2 to A11 and outputs the image display
signal to the display controller 140 via the I/O bus 104. Upon
receipt of the image display signal, the display controller 140
generates a drive signal of the LCD panel 17 based on the image
display signal. And then, the display controller 140 outputs the
drive signal to the LCD panel 17. In this manner, the slot game is
executed (predetermined images are displayed) on each of the slot
game areas A2 to A11.
[0098] FIG. 3 is a perspective view when the LCD panel 17 is viewed
from behind. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view when viewed
from the front. Some parts shown in FIG. 3 are omitted (not shown)
in FIG. 4.
[0099] The LCD panel 17 has a shape and size corresponding to the
lower display 16. As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the LCD panel 17
is constituted by overlapping a liquid crystal unit 74, a light
guide plate 75, and a reflective film 76 in the order from the
front side of the slot machine 10.
[0100] The liquid crystal unit 74 is constituted by filling liquid
crystal between a transparent substrate, such as a glass plate on
which a thin film transistor layer is formed, and another
transparent substrate in opposition thereto. The liquid crystal
unit 74 changes colorless in an inactive state, in which no image
is displayed. In the inactive state, the transmitted light can be
visually recognized from the outside. The central area of the
liquid crystal unit 74 is always inactive (transmissive) in order
for a player to visually recognize the reels 3A to 3C.
[0101] The light guide plate 75 guides light from fluorescent tubes
77a, 77b to the inside of the liquid crystal unit 74 to illuminate
the liquid crystal unit 74 from the backside. Specifically, the
light guide plate 75 is a transparent member having a thickness of
about 2 cm and made of acryl resin etc. The light guide plate 75 is
made of a material having light guiding feature. The fluorescent
tubes 77a, 77b are attached on upper and lower ends of the light
guide plate 75 by lamp holders 79a to 79d.
[0102] The reflective film 76 has a transparent film as a
substrate, such as a polyester film etc. The reflective film 76 has
a non-reflective area 76B and a reflective area 76A therearound.
The shape, position, and size of the non-reflective area 76B are
the same as those of the central slot game area A1. The
non-reflective area 76B is a light transmissive plane made of the
substrate. The reflective area 76A is made by depositing a thin
aluminum or silver layer on the substrate.
[0103] The reflective area 76A of the reflective film 76 partially
reflects light introduced into the inside of the light guide plate
75 from the upper and lower ends thereof. And then, the reflective
area 76A outputs the light frontward. The reflective area 76A
prevents light from leaking backward and effectively outputs the
light frontward.
[0104] Fluorescent tubes 78a, 78b are disposed behind the
reflective film 76 with lamp holders 79e to 79h. The fluorescent
tubes 78a, 78b illuminate the periphery of the reels 3A to 3C from
above and beneath.
[0105] An outer plate 73 is disposed in front of the liquid crystal
unit 74. The touch screen 72 is arranged on the surface of the
outer plate 73. The touch screen 72 detects player's touch
operations etc. The touch screen 72 is made of a transmissive
member. The outer plate 73 is made of a transmissive member and
images, such as patterns, characters, etc., are drawn on its
surface. The images are drawn on the areas outside the slot game
areas A1 to A11. The player can see the images drawn on the areas
outside the areas A1 to A11 when playing with the slot machine 10.
The outer plate 73 may be omissible.
[0106] Next, images displayed on the slot game areas A1 to A11 are
explained with reference to FIG. 13 and FIG. 14. FIG. 13 is a
display example of the central slot game area A1 and FIG. 14 is a
display example of the slot game areas A2 to A11.
[0107] As shown in FIG. 13, three (one row by three column) display
areas q1 to q3 are provided on the central slot game area A1.
Symbols are scrolled by the reels 3A to 3C in each of the display
areas q1 to q3 when the jackpot bonus game is started.
[0108] Then, a jackpot payout is awarded when a jackpot winning
combination is achieved in the display areas q1 to q3 of the
central slot game area A1.
[0109] As shown in FIG. 14, nine (three row by three column)
display areas q11 to q33 are provided on each of the slot game
areas A2 to A11. Symbols are scrolled in each of the columns of the
display areas q11 to q33 on the LCD panel 17 when the slot game is
started on each of the slot game areas A2 to A11.
[0110] Five LEDs 53a to 53e are provided on the left side of the
display areas q11 to q33 of each of the slot game areas A2 to A11.
The LEDs 53a to 53e notify the activated payline(s) on each of the
slot game areas A2 to A11. As shown in FIG. 15, five paylines are
prepared on the display areas q11 to q33. A horizontal line in the
middle row is L1, a horizontal line in the upper row is L2, a
horizontal line in the lower row is L3, a diagonal line going down
to the right is L4, and a diagonal line going up to the right is
L5.
[0111] The LEDs 53a to 53e light up according to a bet amount. In
detail, only the LED 53a lights up when one credit is bet. The LEDs
53b, 53c, in addition to the LED 53a, light up when two credits are
bet. The LEDs 53d, 53e, in addition to the LEDs 53a to 53c, light
up when three credits are bet.
[0112] It is indicated that the line L1 has been activated, when
the LED 53a lights up. In addition, it is indicated that the lines
L2, L3 have been activated, respectively, when the LEDs 53b, 53c
light up. Furthermore, it is indicated that the lines L4, L5 have
been activated, respectively, when the LEDs 53d, 53e light up. As a
result, only the line L1 is activated when one credit has been bet,
the lines L1, L2, and L3 are activated when two credits have been
bet, and all of the lines L1 to L5 are activated when three credits
have been bet. Then, a payout is awarded according to a winning
combination(s) when the winning combination(s) is achieved on the
activated payline (s).
[0113] An activation indicating frame 51 is provided on each
peripheral edge of the slot game areas A1 to A11. Each of the
activation indicating frames 51 lights up on the LCD panel 17 for
the activated slot game areas A1 to A11. The activation indicating
frame 51 lights up on the slot game areas A1 to A11 on which at
least one credit is bet. It is possible for a player to easily
recognize the activated slot game area(s) by the activation
indicating frame(s) 51.
[0114] A bonus game indicator 52 is provided above each of the slot
game areas A2 to A11 except the central slot game area A1. The
bonus game indicator 52 of each of the slot game area A2 to A11
lights up on the LCD panel 17 during a bonus game (a normal bonus
game being different from the above-described jackpot bonus game,
to be described later). It is possible for a player to easily
recognize the slot game area(s) during the bonus game by the bonus
game indicator(s) 52.
[0115] FIG. 16 shows winning combinations in the slot game on the
slot game areas A2 to A11. As shown in FIG. 16, the jackpot bonus
game is started on the central slot game area A1 when three
JACKPOT-7's are rearranged on the activated payline (e.g., the
three JACKPOT-7's are rearranged on the line L1 (FIG. 15) when the
line L1 has been activated). The bonus game is started on the own
slot game area when three 7's are rearranged on the activated
payline, a 15-credits payout is awarded to the player when three
APPLEs are rearranged, a 10-credits payout is awarded when three
BELLs are rearranged, and a 2-credits payout is awarded when a
"CHERRY" is rearranged on the leftmost of the activated
payline.
[0116] FIG. 17 shows jackpot winning combinations in the jackpot
bonus game on the central slot game area A1. As shown in FIG. 17,
the entire accumulated jackpot amount is awarded as a jackpot bonus
when three 7's are rearranged. A half of the accumulated jackpot
amount is awarded as a jackpot bonus when three APPLEs are
rearranged. Further, a quarter of the accumulated jackpot amount is
awarded as a jackpot bonus when three BELLs are rearranged.
[0117] Next, an operation of the slot machine of the present
embodiment is described with reference to flowcharts shown in FIG.
6 to FIG. 12. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing slot game execution
processing. The slot game execution processing is executed by the
CPU 106 (FIG. 5) according to the game execution programs stored in
the ROM 108.
[0118] First, the CPU 106 executes area activation receiving
processing for receiving a selection for activating slot game areas
A1 to A11 (step S11). In the area activation receiving processing,
the slot game areas A1 to A11, which have been touched by the
player to activate, are detected by the touch screen 72. Then, the
CPU 106 activates the touched slot game areas A1 to A11 (step S12).
The CPU 106 lights up the activation indicating frame 51 on the
peripheral edge of the activated slot game area(s) to notify the
player of the activated slot game area(s).
[0119] For example, when the slot game areas A1 to A6 has been
activated, the activation indicating frames 51 of the activated
slot game areas A1 to A6 are lit up and the activation indicating
frames 51 of the non-activated slot game areas A7 to A11 are not
lit up, as shown in FIG. 18.
[0120] Next, the CPU 106 executes bet amount receiving processing
for receiving a total bet amount on the slot games on the activated
slot game areas A1 to A11 (step S13). In the bet amount receiving
processing, pressing of the bet switch 25 by the player is detected
and the bet total amount is calculated. Then, the CPU 106 subtracts
the bet amount having been input from an internally stored credit
amount (step S14). For example, if the stored credit amount is 50
credits and a 30-credits bet amount is received, the stored credit
amount will be 20 credits.
[0121] It is also possible to place a bet on each slot game on the
activated slot game areas A1 to A11 by inserting a medal (s) into
the medal insertion slot 21. In this case, the CPU 106 recognizes
the number of inserted medals as a bet amount. In this case, it is
not needed to execute subtraction from the stored credit amount in
step S14.
[0122] Next, the CPU 106 executes bet processing for placing a bet
on each of the slot games on the activated slot game areas A1 to
A11 (step S15). The bet processing will be described later in
detail with reference to FIG. 10 and FIG. 11.
[0123] After step S15, the CPU 106 determines a payline(s) to be
activated according to the bet amount for each of the slot game
areas A2 to A11 except the central slot game area A1 (step S16). In
this processing, as described above, the line L1 is activated when
one credit is bet on each of the slot games on the slot game areas
A2 to A11, the lines L1, L2, and L3 are activated when two credits
are bet, and all of the lines L1 to L5 are activated when three
credits are bet (see FIG. 15).
[0124] Although a detailed description will be given later, it is
also possible to place a bet randomly on each slot game on the slot
game areas A1 to A11. In this case, it is not limited that a bet is
placed on each of the slot game areas A1 to A11 in numerical order
of the areas. For example, when the slot game areas A1, A3, A6, A8,
and A9 are activated, one credit is bet, respectively, in the order
of A8, A3, A9, A1, and A6.
[0125] Then, the CPU 106 determines whether or not the start switch
27 has been pressed (step S17). The slot game is executed on each
of the slot game areas A2 to A11 except the central slot game area
A1 when the start switch 27 has been pressed (step S18).
[0126] Next, the CPU 106 determines whether or not an outcome of
the slot games on the slot game areas A2 to A11 has met a
prescribed condition, respectively (step S19). Here, it is
determined that the prescribed condition has been met when a
jackpot bonus trigger combination (three JACKPOT-7's: FIG. 16) is
achieved on an activated paylines in at least one slot game
(including the bonus game) on activated slot game areas A2 to A11.
The present processing ends when the prescribed condition has not
been met (step S19: NO). On the other hand, the CPU 106 executes
the jackpot bonus game on the central slot game area A1 (step
S19-1) when the prescribed condition has been met (step S19: YES).
Then, the present processing ends.
[0127] Next, a processing procedure of the slot game executed on
each of the activated slot game areas A2 to A11 is described with
reference to FIG. 7. In the following description, a slot game in
an activated slot game area A6 is described as an example. In the
present embodiment, a slot game(s) is executed also in a
non-activated slot game area(s). However, no payout is awarded even
if a winning combination is achieved and a trigger combination does
not cause a trigger in respect to the non-activated slot game
area(s).
[0128] First, the CPU 106 determines whether a bonus flag of the
slot game area A6 is "0" or "1" (step S21). The default value of
the bonus flag is "0" and set to "1" when the bonus game is to be
executed.
[0129] The CPU 106 determines symbols to be stopped (hereinafter,
simply referred to as stop symbols) in each of the display areas
q11 to q33 on the slot game area A6 when the bonus flag is "0"
(step S23). By this processing, symbols ("JACKPOT-7", "7", "BELL",
"APPLE", etc.) to be displayed in each of the display areas q11 to
q33 are determined.
[0130] Next, the CPU 106 scrolls symbols in the display areas q11
to q33 (step S24). Then, the symbols stop in each of the display
areas q11 to q33 after a predetermined time has elapsed. The
displayed symbols at this time are the stop symbols determined in
step S23.
[0131] Then, the CPU 106 determines whether or not a bonus trigger
combination (three 7's: FIG. 16) is rearranged on any of the
activated paylines (step S25). For example, it is determined
whether or not the bonus trigger combination is achieved on any of
the paylines L1 to L5 (FIG. 15) when all of the lines L1 to L5 are
activated.
[0132] Then, the CPU 106 executes bonus game starting processing
(step S26) when the bonus trigger combination is achieved on any of
the paylines L1 to L5. The bonus game starting processing will be
described later with FIG. 8.
[0133] On the other hand, the CPU 106 determines whether or not one
of winning combinations has been achieved on any of the activated
paylines (step S27) when the bonus trigger combination has not been
achieved. A payout is awarded according to a winning combination
(step S28) when the winning combination has been achieved. On the
other hand, the CPU 106 does not award a payout when a winning
combination has not been achieved. And then the CPU 16 ends the
slot game. It may be possible to cash-out a medal(s) equivalent to
a payout amount through the cash-out chute 28 or to add a credit(s)
equivalent to a payout amount to the internally stored credits,
when a payout is to be awarded.
[0134] Next, the bonus game starting processing is described with
reference to the flowchart in FIG. 8. The bonus flag is set to "1"
(step S31) when the bonus trigger is achieved in step S25 in FIG.
7. At this time, the bonus game indicator 52 of the slot game area
A6 lights up as shown in FIG. 19 to notify the player that the
bonus game is being executed on the slot game area A6.
[0135] Then, the CPU 106 determines the number of the bonus games T
(step S32). The number of games T is, for example, fifty. The
number of games T may be fixed or determined each time randomly by
the CPU 106. The number of games T is stored in the RAM 110.
[0136] Next, a payout for the bonus trigger is awarded (step S33).
For example, a 15-credits (15-medals) payout is awarded in the
present embodiment. Then, the present processing is ended.
[0137] Bonus game execution processing is executed (step S22) for
the next slot game on the slot game area A6 after step 21 in FIG.
7, when the bonus flag has been set to "1" in the bonus game start
processing (step S31 in FIG. 8).
[0138] The bonus game execution processing is described below with
reference to the flowchart in FIG. 9. The CPU 106 executes
processing for determining stop symbols (step S41) when the bonus
game execution is started. This processing is the same processing
as that in step S23 in FIG. 7. In step S41, three 7's are not
rearranged on the payline, but the stop symbols are determined so
that a winning combination is achieved with a high probability. In
other words, a winning combination (three BELLs, three APPLEs or at
least one CHERRY on the leftmost in FIG. 16) is achieved on an
activated payline with higher probability in the bonus game than in
the normal game.
[0139] Next, the CPU 106 scrolls the symbols in the display areas
q11 to q33 (step S42). This processing is the same as that in step
S24 in FIG. 7. Then, the symbols stop in each of the display areas
q11 to q33 after a predetermined time has elapsed. At this time,
the displayed symbols are the stop symbols determined in step
S41.
[0140] Next, the CPU 106 determines whether or not a winning
combination has been achieved on the activated payline (step S43).
A payout is awarded according to a winning combination (step S44)
when the winning combination has been achieved. On the other hand,
the CPU 106 does not award a payout when a winning combination has
not been achieved.
[0141] Then, the CPU 106 decrements the number of games T stored in
the RAM 110 (step S45).
[0142] Next, the CPU 106 determines whether or not the number of
games T is "0" (step S46). The bonus flag is reset to "0" when
"T=0" (step S47). In other words, the bonus flag is reset and the
bonus game is ended when the predetermined number of bonus games
has been expended.
[0143] Next, the bet processing (step S15 in FIG. 6) is described
with reference to a flowchart in FIG. 10 and a table in FIG.
20.
[0144] The CPU 106 first places a bet preferentially on the bonus
slot game(s) on the activated slot game areas A2 to A11 (step S51)
after the bet switch 25 has been pressed or a medal(s) has been
inserted into the medal insertion slot 21. After that, a bet is
placed sequentially on the slot game on the activated slot game
areas A1 to A11 in ascending order of the area numbers (step S52).
Note that, the normal bonus game is not executed on the slot game
area A1.
[0145] For example, when all of the slot game areas A1 to A11 are
activated and the bonus game is being played on the slot game area
A8, the first to third credits are bet on the bonus slot game on
the slot game area A8 as shown in FIG. 20. Then the fourth credit
is bet on the slot game on the slot game area A1 and the fifth
credit is bet on the slot game on the slot game area A2. One bet is
placed one by one on the remaining slot game areas A2-A7 and A9-A11
(except the slot game area A8 and the central slot game area A1)
according to the above procedure. Then, the above procedure is
repeated to place second and third bets. In this manner, thirty-one
credits can be expended to place a 1-credit bet on the central slot
game area A1 and a 3-credits bet on each of the other slot game
areas A2 to A11, respectively.
[0146] An example has been described above, in which the number of
activated slot game areas during the bonus game is one (slot game
area A8). However, a 3-credits bet is placed preferentially on the
bonus slot games on each of the activated slot game areas when the
bonus games are executed simultaneously on two or more activated
slot game areas. And then, one bet is placed sequentially on the
normal slot game on each of the activated slot game areas.
[0147] FIG. 11 is a flowchart of another example of the bet
processing. In this processing, the CPU 106 first places a bet
preferentially on the bonus slot game(s) on the activated slot game
areas A2 to A11 (step S61) after the bet switch 25 has been pressed
or a medal(s) has been inserted, as in the case shown in FIG. 10.
After that, a bet is placed sequentially on the slot game on the
activated slot game areas A1 to A11 in random order (step S62). At
this time, the bet order for the slot games on the slot game areas
A1 to A11, which are not during the bonus game, is determined
randomly by the CPU 106 at each game play.
[0148] As obvious from the above description of the present
embodiment, the medal insertion slot 21 and the bet switch 25
correspond to the "input device" in claims.
[0149] Next, a jackpot bonus game processing procedure executed on
the activated central slot game area A1 is described with reference
to FIG. 12.
[0150] First, the CPU 106 determines stop symbols in each of the
display areas q1 to q3 on the slot game area A1 (step S71). By this
processing, symbols ("7", "BELL", "APPLE", etc.) to be displayed in
each of the display areas q1 to q3 are determined.
[0151] Next, the CPU 106 scrolls the symbols in each of the display
areas q1 to q3 (step S72). Then, the symbols stop in each of the
display areas q1 to q3 after a predetermined time has elapsed.
Here, the displayed symbols are the stop symbols determined in step
S71.
[0152] Then, the CPU 106 determines whether or not a jackpot
winning combination (FIG. 17) has been rearranged (step S73). A
jackpot payout is awarded according to a jackpot winning
combination (step S74) when the jackpot winning combination has
been rearranged. On the other hand, the CPU 106 does not award a
jackpot payout and ends the jackpot bonus game when a jackpot
winning combination has not been rearranged. It may be possible to
cash-out a medal(s) equivalent to a jackpot payout amount through
the cash-out chute 28 or to add a credit(s) equivalent to a jackpot
payout amount to the internally stored credits, when a jackpot
payout is to be awarded.
[0153] In this manner, the slot game areas A1 to A11 to be
activated can be selected arbitrarily by the touch operation onto
the slot game areas A1 to A11 on the lower display 16 in the slot
machine 10 of the present embodiment. And then, the slot game is
executed after a bet(s) has been placed on the activated slot game
areas A2 to A11 (the normal slot game is not executed on the slot
game area A1).
[0154] The jackpot bonus game is executed by the reels 3A to 3C on
the central slot game area A1 when a jackpot trigger combination is
achieved on at least one of the activated slot game areas A2 to
A11, on which a bet has been placed.
[0155] As a result, in the slot machine 10 of the present
embodiment, the slot games on the slot game areas A2 to A11 on the
LCD panel 17 and the slot game (jackpot bonus game) on the slot
game area A1 by the reels 3A to 3C can be executed continuously in
a single game play if a jackpot trigger combination is achieved on
at least one of the activated slot game areas A2 to A11, on which a
bet has been placed.
[0156] Since a player can arbitrarily select the slot game areas A1
to A11 to be activated by the touch operation, the player can
freely select the slot game areas A2 to A11 to play the slot
game(s), on which a bet is to be placed. In addition, the player
can freely select whether or not to activate the jackpot bonus game
on the slot game area A1.
[0157] In the present embodiment, an example has been described
above, in which the slot game area(s) A1 to A11 on which a bet (s)
is to be placed is preliminarily selected. Then, a total bet amount
is input and distributed on the selected (activated) slot game
area(s) A1 to A11. However, it may also be possible that a total
bet amount is preliminarily input and then the slot game area(s) A1
to A11 on which a bet(s) is to be placed is selected. Then, the bet
amount is distributed on the selected slot game area(s) A1 to
A11.
[0158] A slot machine of a second embodiment, which follows this
procedure, will be described below with reference to FIG. 21 to
FIG. 23.
[0159] As shown in FIG. 21, a slot machine 10A of the present
embodiment differs from the slot machine 10 (FIG. 2) of the first
embodiment described above in that a fix switch 30 and a selectable
area counter 49 at the bottom right of the lower display 16 (the
LCD panel 17) are added.
[0160] The fix switch 30 is one of the various operational switches
disposed nearby the vicinity of the medal insertion slot 21 and the
bill validator 22. The fix switch 30 is a switch for fixing a slot
game area(s) to be activated among the slot game areas A1 to A11. A
player is no longer able to select a slot game area(s) for
activation the touch operation after pressing the fix switch
30.
[0161] The selectable area counter 49 displays the maximum number
of slot game areas A1 to A11 that are selectable to be activated.
If a bet amount, which has been input by pressing of the bet switch
25 or inserting a medal(s) into the medal insertion slot 21, is ten
or less, the input bet amount is displayed as is in the selectable
area counter 49. If the input bet amount is equal to or greater
than eleven, a value "11" is displayed in the selectable area
counter 49.
[0162] In the slot machine 10A of the present embodiment, the
activation indicating frame(s) 51 of the selected slot game area(s)
A1 to A11 is blinked between having been selected (activated) by
touch operation and being fixed by the fix switch 30. Since the
activation indicating frame(s) 51 is blinked, the player can easily
recognize the slot game area(s) A1 to A11 on which a bet(s) is
about to be placed.
[0163] As shown in a block diagram of FIG. 22, the slot machine 10A
of the present embodiment differs from the slot machine 10 (FIG. 5)
of the first embodiment described above in that the fix switch 30
is connected to the interface circuits 102 and the selectable area
counter 49 is connected to the display control circuit 128.
[0164] In addition to the differences in outside appearance and
electrical configuration described above, the slot machine 10A of
the present embodiment differs from the slot machine 10 of the
first embodiment in part of the processing executed by the CPU 106.
The slot game execution processing of the present embodiment will
be described below (in particular, the part different from that of
the first embodiment).
[0165] FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing slot game execution
processing that the CPU 106 of the slot machine of the present
embodiment executes according to the game execution programs stored
in the ROM 108.
[0166] First, the CPU 106 executes bet amount receiving processing
for receiving a total bet amount on the slot games on the slot game
areas A1 to A11 to be activated (step S101). In the bet amount
receiving processing, pressing of the bet switch 25 by the player
is detected and the total bet amount is calculated. Then, the CPU
106 subtracts the bet amount having been input from an internally
stored credit amount (step S102). For example, if the stored credit
amount is 50 credits and a 20-credits bet amount is received, the
stored credit amount will be 30 credits.
[0167] It is also possible to input a total bet amount by inserting
a medal(s) into the medal insertion slot 21. In this case, the CPU
106 recognizes the number of as a bet amount. In this case, it is
not needed to execute subtraction from the stored credit amount in
step S102.
[0168] Next, the CPU 106 calculates the maximum number of slot game
areas A1 to A11 that can be selectable to activate based on the
total bet amount and displays it on the selectable area counter 49
(step S103). Then, the CPU 106 executes area activation receiving
processing for receiving a selection for activating the slot game
areas A1 to A11 (step S104). In the activation receiving
processing, the slot game areas A1 to A11, which have been touched
by the player, are detected by the touch screen 72. The CPU 106
blinks the activation indicating frame 51 on the peripheral edge of
the selected slot game area(s) to notify the player of the selected
slot game area(s).
[0169] Next, the CPU 106 calculates the maximum number of
selectable slot game areas and displays the calculated number on
the selectable area counter 49 (step S105). The value on the
selectable area counter 49 is reduced by one when one of
non-selected slot game areas A1 to A11 has been newly selected. For
example, the calculated maximum number is eleven when the bonus
game is not being executed and none of the slot game areas A1 to
A11 is selected yet. Here, the value on the selectable area counter
49 is reduced to ten when the slot game area A1 is selected for the
right of the jackpot winning. In the downstream bet processing (the
content of the processing is the same as that of the first
embodiment), there may be the case where the bet amount is
distributed preferentially (during the execution of the bonus
game). For example, three credits can be expended at once when the
slot game area, on which the bonus game is being executed, is
selected. The calculated maximum number is eleven when the bonus
game is being executed on one slot game area and none of the slot
game areas A1 to A11 is selected yet. Here, the remaining number of
bet amounts becomes eight when the slot game area, on which the
bonus game is being executed, is selected at first. That is, the
calculated maximum number is eight. In this manner, the CPU 106
calculates the maximum number of selectable slot game areas based
on the total bet amount and distribution processing in the
downstream bet processing.
[0170] Subsequently, the CPU 106 determines whether or not the fix
switch 30 has been pressed (step S106). The CPU 106 determines
whether or not the value on the selectable area counter 49 is "0"
(step S107) when the fix switch 30 has not been pressed (step S106:
NO). The processing returns to step S104 when the value on the
selectable area counter 49 is not "0" (step S107: NO). On the other
hand, the processing returns to step S106 when the value on the
selectable area counter 49 is "0" (step S107: YES). The CPU 106
activates the selected slot game areas A1 to A11 (step S108) when
it is determined that the fix switch 30 has been pressed (step
S106: YES). The CPU 106 lights up the activation indicating frame
51 on the peripheral edge of the activated slot game area(s) to
notify the player of the activated slot game area(s).
[0171] Next, the CPU 106 executes the bet processing for placing a
bet on each of the slot games on the activated slot game areas A1
to A11 (step S109).
[0172] The CPU 106 determines a payline(s) to be activated
according to a bet amount on each of the slot game areas A2 to A11
(step S110) after the betting processing has finished.
Subsequently, the CPU 106 determines whether or not the start
switch 27 has been pressed (step S111). The slot game is executed
on each of the slot game areas A2 to A11 (step S112) when the start
switch 27 has been pressed (step S111: YES).
[0173] Next, the CPU 106 determines whether or not the outcome of
the slot games on the slot game areas A2 to A11 has met a
prescribed condition (step S113). Here, it is determined that the
prescribed condition has been met if a jackpot trigger combination
has been achieved on the payline in any of the slot games
(including the bonus game) on the activated slot game areas A2 to
A11. The present processing ends when the prescribed condition has
not been met (step S113: NO). On the other hand, the CPU 106
executes the jackpot bonus game on the central slot game area A1
(step S114) when the prescribed condition has been met (step S113:
YES). After that, the present processing ends.
[0174] Each processing in step S109 to step S114 is the same as
that in step S15 to step S19-1 (FIG. 6) of the first
embodiment.
[0175] As described above, in the slot machine 10A of the present
embodiment, the total bet amount is held after the bet switch 25
has been pressed or a medal(s) has been inserted into the medal
insertion slot 21. Then, the maximum number of slot game areas A1
to A11 that can be selectable to activate is calculated according
to the held total bet amount and then displayed on the selectable
area counter 49.
[0176] Then, the slot game areas A1 to A11 are arbitrarily selected
by the touch operation onto the slot game areas A1 to A11 on the
lower display 16 within the range of the calculated maximum number.
The total bet amount is distributed on the slot games on the
selected slot game areas A1 to A11 (the slot game areas A1 to A11
on which a bet has been placed are activated). Then, the slot game
is executed on each of the activated slot game areas A2 to A11 (the
normal slot game is not executed on the slot game area A1).
[0177] The jackpot bonus game is executed by the reels 3A to 3C on
the central slot game area A1 when a jackpot trigger combination
has been achieved on at least one of the activated slot game areas
A2 to A11 on which a bet was placed.
[0178] As a result, also in the slot machine 10A of the present
embodiment, the slot game on each of the game areas A2 to A11 on
the LCD panel 17 and the slot game (jackpot bonus game) on the slot
game area A1 by the reels 3A to 3C can be executed continuously in
a single game play.
[0179] In addition, since a player can arbitrarily select the slot
game areas A1 to A11 to be activated by the touch operation, the
player can freely select the slot game areas A2 to A11 to play the
slot game(s) on which a bet is to be placed. Further, the player
can freely select whether or not to activate the jackpot bonus game
on the slot game area A1.
[0180] Further, in the present embodiment, the slot game areas A1
to A11 to be activated are selected after the total bet amount is
determined. Therefore, since the maximum number of slot game areas
A1 to A11 which can be activated is calculated preliminarily, it is
possible to prevent a selection of the slot game areas A1 to A11
beyond the calculated maximum number.
[0181] Since a bet(s) is placed preferentially on the bonus game(s)
on the slot game area(s) A2 to A11, the slot game area(s) A2 to A11
which is to be expected a larger payout by the bonus game can be
activated without fail.
[0182] In the first and second embodiments described above, the
slot game area A1 corresponding to a "specific slot game area" in
claims is constituted by the mechanical reels 3A to 3C. However,
the specific slot game area (slot game area A1) may be constituted
by the LCD panel 17 in the same manner as that for the other slot
game areas A2 to A11.
[0183] A slot machine of a third embodiment including such a
configuration will be described below with reference to FIG. 24 to
FIG. 27.
[0184] As shown in FIG. 24, the slot machine 10B of the present
embodiment differs from the slot machine 10 (FIG. 2) of the first
embodiment described above in that the slot game area A1 is
configured by the LCD panel 17 instead of the mechanical reels 3A
to 3C.
[0185] Because of the above difference, the reflective film 76 of
the LCD panel 17 has the reflective area 76A extending all over the
surface as shown in FIG. 25 and FIG. 26. The reflective film 76
does not have an area corresponding to the non-reflective area 76B
of the first embodiment. In addition, the slot machine 10B of the
present embodiment does not have elements corresponding to the
fluorescent tubes 78a, 78b for illuminating the reels 3A to 3C and
the lamp holders 79e to 79h of the first embodiment.
[0186] Further, the slot machine 10B of the present embodiment does
not have components corresponding to the stepping motors 45A to 45C
for spinning the reels 3A to 3C and the motor drive circuit 120 of
the first embodiment. Then, the jackpot bonus game on the central
slot game area A1 of the LCD panel 17 is executed under the control
of the display controller 140 as the slot game on each of the other
slot game areas A2 to A11. Therefore, the center area of the liquid
crystal unit 74 is controlled so that it is not in a permanent
inactive state but in an active state according to displayed
contents.
[0187] Except for the above points, the slot machine 10B of the
present embodiment is configured in the same manner as that of the
slot machine 10 of the first embodiment.
[0188] As described above, it is possible to bring the same effect
as that in the slot machine 10 of the first embodiment also in the
slot machine 10B of the present embodiment by substantially the
same operation as that in the slot machine 10 of the first
embodiment.
[0189] The difference between the slot machine 10B of the present
embodiment and the slot machine 10 of the first embodiment can be
applied also to the slot machine 10A of the second embodiment. In
other words, it is also possible to change the slot game area A1
(the specific slot game area) of the slot machine 10A of the second
embodiment from the mechanical reels 3A to 3C to the LCD panel
17.
[0190] In the first to third embodiments described above, the slot
game area A1 corresponding to the "specific slot game area" in
claims is arranged in the center of the lower display 16,
surrounded by the other slot game areas A2 to A11. However, the
slot game area A1 (the specific slot game area) may be disposed not
on the lower display 16 but at another different position,
independently from the other slot game areas A2 to A11.
[0191] For example, as a slot machine 10C of a fourth embodiment
shown in FIG. 28, the slot game area A1 (the specific slot game
area) may be disposed on the upper display 33. The slot game areas
A2 to A11 are disposed on the lower display 16. It is possible to
dispose the slot game area A1 constituted by the mechanical reels
3A to 3C on the lower display 16 and the slot game areas A2 to A11
constituted by the LCD panel 17 on the upper display 33.
[0192] In this case, the slot game execution processing on the slot
game areas A1 to A11 is basically the same as the processing in the
slot machines 10, 10A, and 10B in the first to third embodiments.
However, it is necessary to dispose an LCD panel behind the upper
display 33 similar to the LCD panel 17 and control it by the
controller 40 when the game area A1 on the LCD panel is disposed on
the upper display 33 as shown in FIG. 28.
[0193] The slot machines and the playing methods thereof are
described as above based on the embodiments schematically shown,
however, the present invention is not limited to the above. The
configuration of each part can be replaced with an arbitrary
configuration having the same function.
[0194] For example, in the above embodiments, the examples are
shown, in which the slot games are executed in all of the slot game
areas A1 to A11 regardless of activation. However, it may also be
possible to execute the slot games only in the activated slot game
areas A1 to A11. Alternatively, a movie, which is looked like a
slot game, may be played on each non-activated slot game area.
* * * * *